VNL 2026 : Bulgaria win first game against Italy since 2015, Ukraine stun undefeated Brazil and Slovenia beat Canada in front of their home fans in Ljubljana!

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Article wrote by Danijel from Ljubljana for Volleytimes, please respect his job.

First day of second week of Volleyball Nations League 2026 has been completed today in three European cities: Gliwice (Poland), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Orléans (France).

In Slovenia’s capital, in an exciting remake of last World Championship final, Bulgaria achieves its first-ever VNL victory over Italy, and not only stripped them of their world’s number one team status, but also registered a historic success by defeating this rivals for the first time in an official competition since 2015!

In a thrilling battle, Bulgaria won by 3-2 (18:25, 25:20, 25:23, 19:25, 15:9), with a solid teamwork, led by Aleksandar Nikolov, the best scorer of World Championship and currently even of VNL 2026, who scored a match-high 19 points, including two blocks. His 19-year-old brother, setter Simeon Nikolov, had a strong performance too, and not only helped his other four attackers reach the double digits, but also contributed nine points himself (3 aces, 5 attacks and 1 block). Outside Martin Atanasov also contributed with 14 points, including two aces and two blocks, opposite Asparuh Asparuhov added another 13, including the one that closed the match, while middle blockers Iliya Petkov (three blocks, two aces) and Aleks Grozdanov (five blocks) closed the game with 10 points each.

“This win means a lot! We had some difficult moments last tournament. We also had to fix, let’s say, the mental part. To start like this in the second tournament is amazing and I’m so happy!” said captain Grozdanov.
“The team is amazing, the spirit is amazing – fingers crossed that we keep it! I am so happy to be part of all of this!”

Opposite Kamil Rychlicki was the most prolific player for Italy with 18 points, including two blocks, while middle blocker Giovanni Sanguinetti added 13 points, and outside hitters Luca Porro (three aces) and Mattia Bottolo tallied 10 points each.

“It was a very difficult game. We are happy with this game and this 3-2 against an amazing team like Bulgaria,” said Italy’s captain Daniele Lavia. “I am very happy to be here in this amazing atmosphere, and we will see what happens in the next games.”
This match also marked his return to the Italian national team lineup!

📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed a major upset in the competition by defeating Brazil 3-1 (29:27, 22:25, 25:22, 25:21) and ending the South Americans’ unbeaten run!
Raul Lozano’s side secured third victory of the tournament with a strong performance led by Oleh Plotnytskyi and Vasyl Tupchii. After winning a dramatic opening set 29-27, Brazil responded to level the match with a 25-22 win in the second. However the Europeans regained control in the third set, winning 25-22, and maintained their momentum in the fourth one, where Illia Kovalov’s decisive attack sealed a well-deserved 25-21 victory.
Oleh Plotnytskyi led Ukraine with 19 points, while Vasyl Tupchii added 17 and Ilia Kovalov 15. Brazil was led by Darlan Souza, who left the court as the match’s top scorer with an impressive 26 points but he wasn’t enough.
Ukraine boasted a 10-5 advantage in blocks, a key factor in the final result, and the victory improves their record to three wins in the competition, while Brazil suffers first loss after opening the tournament with four consecutive successes!
Japan, who defeated Serbia in the opener in Orléans , is now the only unbeaten team remaining in VNL 2026!

📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

Close this first Day hosts Slovenia who made a winning start to the home stage by defeating Canada 3-1 (25:23, 23:25, 25:20, 25:23) after a hard-fought four-set battle at Arena Stožice.
Backed by a warm home crowd, Slovenia recovered from losing the second set to take command of the match, turning the momentum in the third set with a strong serving display from Nik Mujanovic before keeping their composure in a tightly contested fourth to secure victory.
Opposite Tonček Štern finished as Slovenia’s top scorer with 24 points, while Nik Mujanović added 18 and Alen Pajenk 11. Brodie Hofer with 18 points was the most prolific player of Canada.

📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

IN PROGRESS! I’m still working, and DON’T COPY or translate into Italian. RESPECT MY (and the others) JOB!

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🏐| FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2026 | Games of the day

— Wednesday | June 24, 2026—

| Pool 5 – Week 2 – Gliwice 🇵🇱
• 13.00 (Local Time) | China – Türkiye 0-3 (16:25, 19:25, 21:25)
• 16.30 (Local Time) | Argentina – Germany 3-2 (25:21, 15:25, 25:15, 18:25, 15:13)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Poland – Belgium 3-2 (21:25, 23:25, 25:19, 28:26, 15:13)

👉🏼 Pool 6 – Week 2 – Ljubljana 🇸🇮
• 13.00 (Local Time) | Bulgaria – Italy 3-2 (18:25, 25:20, 25:23, 19:25, 15:9)
📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH
• 16.30 (Local Time) | Ukraine – Brazil 3-1 (29:27, 22:25, 25:22, 25:21)
📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Slovenia – Canada 3-1 (25:23, 23:25, 25:20, 25:23)
📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

| Pool 4 – Week 2 – Orléans 🇫🇷
• 13.30 (Local Time) | Serbia – Japan 1-3 (17:25, 15:25, 25:22, 16:25)
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Cuba – USA 0-3 (21:25, 21:25, 19:25)
• 20.30 (Local Time) | France – Iran 3-2 (25:21, 23:25, 25:21, 24:26, 17:15)

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🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Japan 14
2. USA 12
3. Brazil 11
4. Italy 10
5. Ukraine 10
6. Slovenia 9
7. Poland 9
8. Serbia 9
9. Türkiye 8
10. Bulgaria 8
11. Belgium 6
12. Germany 6
13. Canada 6
14. Iran 5
15. France 4
16. China 4
17. Argentina 3
18. Cuba 1

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🏐| NEXT GAMES

— Thursday | June 25, 2026—

| Pool 5 – Week 2 – Gliwice 🇵🇱
• 16.30 (Local Time) | China – Belgium
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Poland – Türkiye

| Pool 6 – Week 2 – Ljubljana 🇸🇮
• 16.30 (Local Time) | Ukraine – Italy
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Slovenia – Bulgaria

| Pool 4 – Week 2 – Orléans 🇫🇷
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Iran – USA
• 20.30 (Local Time) | France – Cuba

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